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BACKGROUND The significance of beta-blockers in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases is well established. The effect of vasodilating beta-blockers on endothelial function and prothrombotic state has not been investigated. METHODS The study comprised 550 consecutive patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. They were treated with celiprolol, carvedilol or nebivolol monotherapy (1...

BACKGROUND Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass carries significant risk for patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS Between 1997 and 2000, 240 patients underwent OPCAB. The patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups with regard to LV function. Group 1 consisted of 90 patients with ejection fraction (EF) <35% and grou p 2 of 150 p...

BACKGROUND The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) is associated with major disabling conditions, although whether as byproduct or driver is unclear. The role of common variation in the IL-18 gene on serum concentrations and functioning in old age is unknown. METHODS We used 1671 participants aged 65-80 years from two studies: the InCHIANTI study and wave 6 of the Iowa-Established...

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) follows heterogeneous clinical courses, and several biological parameters need to be added to the current clinical staging systems to predict which patients will experience an indolent or an aggressive outcome. This study analyzed CD38 expression by flow cytometry and soluble APO1/Fas (sAPO1/Fas), Bcl-2 (sBcl-2), and CD23 (sCD23) proteins by immunoenz...

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors vs other antihypertensive agents on cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive black patients. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) with calcium channel ...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of plant superoxide dismutase extract (GliSODin) supplementation on the balance of oxidants and antioxidants in the serum and erythrocytes of competitive rowers. The double-blinded study included 19 members of the Polish rowing team who were participating in a preparatory camp. Subjects were randomly assigned to the supplemented group (n = 10)...

A long-term retrospective follow-up study was made of 120 patients (33 male, 87 female patients) with primary pulmonary hypertension--diagnosed by strict clinical and hemodynamic criteria--to obtain a better understanding of the natural history and possible pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease. The mean age at diagnosis was 34 (3 to 64) years, but only 24 patients (21%) remained alive 5 years...

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of applying vancomycin powder within the surgical wound on the risk of surgical infections, pseudo-arthrosis and adverse events, in patients undergoing spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS A meta-analysis was carried out, including controlled studies that evaluated the risk of postoperative infections and/or pseudo-arthrosis in patients undergoing spinal sur...